Issue 29 | Spring 2018 DOMINIC RAAB MP will The discuss local issues and take your questions at a public meeting on Thursday 15 March, 7.30pm at St. Lawrence School, Church Rd, East Molesey, KT8 9DR. MoleseyCOMMUNITY NEWS FROM YOUR MOLESEY CONSERVATIVE News CANDIDATE STEVE BAX All welcome.

Got a question? Email me: [email protected] | Website: www.facebook.com/MoleseyNews | Twitter: @MoleseySteve ello and welcome to the visit to the borough (pictured). candidate for the enlarged East continue to do. first Molesey News of We’ve also been speaking to Insp Molesey ward and Paul Wood is Some of the sugges- Hthe year. I am former Greg Turner of the local police our excellent candidate in West tions Molesey voters Molesey councillor Steve Bax about what is being done. More on Molesey. We have been busy cam- have for improv- and I produce this newsletter on that in this edition. paigning and speaking to residents ing our community behalf of the Local Conservatives Housing is a huge issue for the about their concerns. include: a crossing by to keep you updated about issues Council at the moment, with the I have been distributing a survey Topps Tiles, a speed concerning our community. government applying pressure to and have had nearly 150 back. The camera on Hurst It’s a busy time for our team. build more homes and bring down results so far show that residents’ Road, and addressing We have been reporting potholes the cost, particularly for key work- top three priorities are safeguard- the lack of affordable to Surrey County Council, meet- ers and first time buyers. ing Molesey’s open spaces and homes - ‘I have been ing residents affected by planning You can read more about that and environment, the state of the roads renting for six years issues and by the illegally moored what it means for our area in our and local health care. and cannot afford to boats at West Molesey. I took Elm- lead article below and can question Keeping council tax low, tack- buy’ a resident said. focused on what you want us to bridge Council to task on behalf of MP Dominic Raab, the new Hous- ling parking and congestion and Coordinating buses and trains at deliver. a local mum over the poor state of ing Minister, directly about this helping local shops were also Hampton Court, tackling all-day The elections are on 3 May and the play equipment at Molesey Rec and any other local and national prominent issues for residents. A commuter parking at Graburn Way are a chance to get the change we and was successful in getting this matters when he joins us for a pub- majority said the most important and addressing the lack of an NHS need in Molesey and at Elmbridge. fixed. lic meeting at St Lawrence School, attribute for a local councillor is dentist, bank, central post office Paul and I look forward to meet- Earlier this year, I was able to 7.30pm on 15 March. that they ‘champion local issues’ and secondary school in Molesey. ing you on the doorstep and hear- discuss the worrying spate of bur- Important local elections on 3 and are ‘responsive to residents’ I thank residents for taking the ing your views. Please get in touch glaries in Molesey with the Home May will decide who runs the concerns’ which is what Local time to fill out and return the if you have any questions, or if we Secretary, Amber Rudd, during her council. I am standing as our Conservatives are doing and will surveys. They will help keep us can help in any way.

Heathrow public Hurst Lane site consultation Where will the homes go? to be developed n Council must build hundreds of new homes over next decade LANGHAM Homes has been given the go-ahead to build 40 LMBRIDGE Council has houses on the land next to the been given a target of Pavilion club in Hurst Lane. Eenabling 600 new homes The developer was initially to be built in the borough every refused planning permission year for the next decade. by Elmbridge last year on the It’s part of the government’s reasonable grounds that the site WE WERE pleased that determination to tackle the short- is subject to a covenant which Heathrow Airport took up our age of homes nationally, which has reserves it for community sports suggestion to hold one of its pushed up house prices to an aver- and leisure. consultation events in Molesey. age £600,000 in Elmbridge – out of Langham’s appeal was heard Held at Imber Court in early reach of many young families and by a planning inspector at February, it enabled residents key workers which our community the Civic Centre, Esher, in to raise concerns about aircraft needs December and it was announced noise and comment on plans for The response from the Residents in January that planning a third runway. Association political parties and permission had been granted. Molesey Conservatives the Liberal Democrats running the Steve shared the news with attended with Dominic Raab Council, to this housing challenge residents via the well-used East MP. We discussed noise levels has been shambolic. Rather than do & West Molesey Facebook page. over Molesey and air quality the hard work of planning where Steve Bax explains: “It is es- our greenbelt. The Conservative Some welcomed the prospect of - the need for clear limits and new homes could go with the least sential that planning decisions in group had opposed the plans. new homes (including the 20 at independent monitoring. impact, they proposed a quick fix Molesey and Elmbridge are taken “Just imagine what would be in ‘affordable’ reduced rates that Aircraft are switching to a of building more than 5,000 homes by our locally elected representa- their literature now if the Con- are part of the scheme). Others system of precision navigation on three large tracts of our green- tives who know our communities servatives had proposed building were furious that the inspector and decisions must be made on belt (at Long Ditton, Cobham and best - the Coalition needs to get its thousands of homes on the green- had overridden local wishes. whether to concentrate or spread Oxshott). act together quickly or make way belt,” said Cllr Browne. The development is offering a out the routes. These changes Not surprisingly there was a for a Local Conservative adminis- “If a Conservative Administration mini-soccer pitch, outdoor gym will happen irrespective of the huge outcry from 3,760 residents tration, which will get the job done is elected in May we will take a and children’s play area to keep airport expansion. which sent RA/Lib Dem Coalition properly.” more sensible approach to meeting spirit with the leisure covenant. Needless to say the Molesey councillors into full retreat. We are A Local Plan is vital to set out this difficult housing challenge. We The land was reserved for the Conservative position is that the still waiting for an alternative plan where building is considered to be will look at releasing public land, community in the early 1980s noise burden must be shared, not some 12 months later. acceptable. Without one, devel- building on brownfield sites and as part of the agreement which concentrated over our area. The lack of a Local Plan runs the opers who are refused planning building upwards where appropri- gave rise to the Kings Chase Have your say at www. risk of one being imposed centrally permission for any scheme will ate, such as three-storey terraces.” estate. In recent years it has been heathrowconsultation.com by Whitehall civil servants. stand a much better chance of win- Developers will be put on notice fenced off by private owners. ning an appeal. We got a taste of that the Borough will prioritise The inspector agreed that this recently when an appeal gave starter homes and affordable the site had not been used for a green light for the land adjacent homes, said Cllr Browne. recreation for years and said to the Pavilion in Hurst Lane to be He continued: “If we want to pro- the 50% affordable homes was developed, bypassing local wishes. vide homes for our children and for needed due to high house prices The RA/Lib Dem’s failure to key workers our community needs, in Molesey. identify a five-year supply of land like nurses, police and teachers, in the Borough was cited as a rea- then we need to build and put in son for the decision to side with the infrastructure - but we can do it the developers! without sacrificing our open spaces Councillor James or greenbelt. Browne (pictured) is “The lesson is clear – if you the housing spokes- want to safeguard the greenbelt man for the Elmbridge and want a competent and fair Conservative group. approach to tackling the He accuses the The housing need, then you RA/Lib Dems of need to vote Conserva- wasting time by tive in May so that we can pressing on with a regain control of the plan to build over Council.”

This newsletter New refurbished Dish, 3 Bridge Road, East Molesey. 020 8941 1095 is sponsored by We are open from 6am Monday to Sunday, so join us for breakfast Never forget, your Molesey Conservative Team of Peter, Steve and Paul is always here for you. Please contact us if you have any problems or concerns relating to East and West Molesey, particularly regarding Elmbridge Borough and Surrey County Councils - we’ll do our best to help. CONTACT US: Cty Cllr Peter Szanto, 07712 587831; Steve Bax (East Molesey candidate), 0797 7171138; Paul Wood (West Molesey candidate), 07753 980357 Email: [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]

Spending a pretty COMMUNITY penny on toilets Burglary gangs targeting Elmbridge MOLESEY Conservatives have esher-claygate NEWS met with Inspector Greg Turner Residents should consider pre- FIFTY flats have been proposed of the Elmbridge Neighbour- cautions such as: window and door in Grange Close and part of hood team to discuss the recent locks; remote monitored burglar Molesey Football Club. increase in burglaries locally. alarms; security cameras, security Planning permission is being He gave us an overview of doorbells; access, particularly sought by the club as a means of activities the police have under- from the rear of properties where clearing its “financial burden”, way to address the spike. They ladders, garden furniture and and in partnership with Rush- have launched Operation Spear- single-story extensions have all HOW much does it cost to mon Homes PA Housing. head, deploying extra overt and been used to gain entry. ‘spend a penny’ in Elmbridge? Existing flats in Grange Close covert resources and have made a Steve Bax, on behalf of the Local Believe it or not, under our would be knocked down to number of arrests so far this year. Conservative team, adds: “It’s RA/Lib Dem Council, it’s make way for 26 ‘affordable’ Insp Turner said burglary gangs As part of the fight back, police not only the Police who prevent a whopping £164 a day or apartments and 24 private. from outside the area have been are offering residents the services crime. There is nothing better than £60,000 a year - just for run- A new nursery will be built at targeting Elmbridge. The crimes of Mike Bessent, a specialist ‘De- a community that is engaged, with ning five Automated Public Molesey FC as part of the plans. are typically opportunistic, non- sign Out Crime Officer’. He will vigilant residents who look out for Conveniences (APCs). West Molesey Conservative violent, ‘quick in and out’ seek- visit and suggest ways to beef-up each other. In February, Molesey Resi- candidate Paul Wood has met ing items such as cash, watches your home security. “I would urge you to report dents Association councillors with a resident concerned about and jewellery. They tend to occur To arrange this go to: https:// anything suspicious to 101 or, for and their coalition allies com- the size and proximity of the between 4pm and 10pm. www.surrey.police.uk/elmbridge/ genuine emergencies call 999.” mitted us to spend £35,000 in structure and would like to see a buying five ‘Tetragonal Classic’ more sympathetic scheme. toilets (pictured) from Swed- TWO teenagers threw a fire- ish supplier, DANFO. We will work into the Lord Hotham spend the extra £60,000 on Surrey’s funding challenges pub in Walton Road which maintenance. exploded, causing burns to The new toilets will be at PETER SZANTO, who represents highways will be doubled a customer. The incident, at Thames Ditton, Hersham, East Molesey and Esher on Surrey and we may have around 11.15pm on 31 January, was Brooklands and in Molesey at County Council, updates readers £200,000 in total for caught on CCTV and police Sadlers Ride and The Wilder- on potholes and the financial work in Elmbridge. have appealed for anyone with ness. Surrey Police ‘strongly challenges facing Surrey. This will certainly be information to call them on advised’ against a toilet at a help but much more 101 quoting ref 45180011882. Wilderness amid concerns about esidents are understand- needs to be done, I will anti-social behaviour. ably angry at the state keep on fighting! MOLESEY churches are joining Conservative councillors Rof our roads and I share n Surrey’s Council tax forces in the run-up to Easter for called for a proper study into the their indignation. bills will rise by 5.99% a project called #LoveMolesey. locations before committing the Surrey is in financial straits, de- in April, adding £1.53 They will gather volunteers to money, but were outvoted. spite huge efficiency savings. This per week to the average help the community in a variety Molesey RA councillors also is largely the result of massive in- household’s bill. Over of ways, from tea parties for asked officers to refurbish the creases in demand for adult social half of the increase is elderly people, to litter picking, APC at Molesey Lock, even care and children’s services and ring-fenced for adult have been successful in getting painting fences and washing though Elmbridge doesn’t own reductions in government funding. social care where demand for our Surrey included in a pilot busi- cars. St Peter’s Church Curate, it! It is mainly used by boats to The Council still must act to im- services has been rising steeply. ness rate retention scheme (worth Alex Munro, said: “It’s anything empty their tanks and cleaning prove our roads. It’s a service that It may be helpful to share a few around £20m in 2018/19). we can find to do which requires would cost a ‘large premium’. is critical to our residents and busi- facts and figures. Surrey receives Unfortunately, with demand for elbow grease.” For more infor- Talk about flushing taxpayer nesses. I can report some progress. the lowest per head Central Gov- services rising and funding falling, mation or to suggest a project go money away! Next year’s budget for local ernment grant in England - just SCC is caught between a rock and to www.LoveMolesey.org £13 per resident, compared to the a hard place and must continue to Advertisement national average of £57 per head. make tough decisions. THIS year’s Molesey Amateur Our taxpayers fund nearly 90% of n I have followed up on the Regatta takes place on 21-22 Surrey County Council’s spending, issue of commuter parking in July along the banks of the compared to the national average roads near Hampton Court Station Thames at Hurst Park. of 60%. Around 80% of Surrey’s with two meetings with Surrey’s Along with the racing there budget covers schools, adult social Parking Officers. Discussions on will be fun for all. Attrac- care and children’s services. The options are ongoing. tions will include a craft Beer remaining 20% covers everything n Each county councillor has Festival, traditional fair rides, from the fire and rescue service, to a £6,000 Members’ Allocation to games, tea and cakes, a barbe- waste and recycling centres, regis- help residents, voluntary and com- cue and live music - all capped trar and coroner services and our munity organisations. I have used off with fireworks at 10.30pm roads get 3% of Surrey’s spend. mine this year to support eight on Saturday. Entry is free! Conservative-run SCC has made worthy community projects. THE closure of the Walton Road efficiency savings worth £540m These include Magical Molesey, post office is ‘temporary’ ac- The smart way to sell your home since 2010/11, nearly all of it op- the 2nd Molesey Scout Group, cording to bosses. posed by Lib Dem and RA council- Hampton Court Village Associa- At Steve Bax’s request, MP Springtime is when things start time to work through any issues lors who proposed no alternatives. tion and the Refresh Church Trust. Dominic Raab wrote to the Post buzzing in our conveyancing that might crop up. We call it our We are lobbying MPs to address Also Home Start Elmbridge and Office before Christmas to ask department. The enquiries ‘Contract Ready’ service – and it the unfair funding formula and Elmbridge Youth Social Action. for information. gradually build as people set their comes at no extra cost to you. They responded with an apology hearts on moving home over the Having all the legal matters to residents, adding that “this summer and before the start of tidied up on the sale side can closure is deemed as temporary the school year in September. not only save you time when it and we are working to restore an Usually, we’re brought into the comes to the move but it could interim counter”. picture at a fairly late stage, once actually make your property more The circumstances behind the the estate agents have done their attractive for a buyer. closure or a date for reopening job of finding a buyer and colour KWW has an unrivalled remain a mystery. schemes have been chosen for knowledge of the local market the new bedrooms! and fantastic relationships with all TALENTED local artists will But there is a smarter way of the estate agents based here, so display their creations at the arranging the legal side of a make us your first choice when Molesey Art Society Spring property move, and that is to you are moving home. Exhibition, which will again contact us at the earliest possible Call us on 0208 be held at St Alban’s Primary opportunity once you have 979 1131, visit our School, Beauchamp Road. The decided to sell. website www.kww. exhibition is open 3-8 April 11- We can be beavering away in co.uk or pop in May 5pm, or 2-6pm on the Tuesday the background, preparing all the and see us at 70 and Thursday. A range of information that a buyer is likely Walton Road, East original art works will be sold to need and giving us plenty of Molesey. at affordable prices. See www. moleseyartsociety.co.uk 70 Walton Road, East Molesey | 020 8979 1131 | www.kww.co.uk

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